Dental appliance



May 2z, 1934.

c. A. SWEET 1,959,508

DENTAL APPLIANCE Filed NOV. 13, 1931 ,me/Liar,

Uil/arles (4. fu/w,

Patented May 22, 1934 Unirse STATES PAT-ENT OFF Claims.

This invention relates to a dental appliance which may be used in the treatment of both the upper and lower teeth.

The object of this invention is to provide a combination instrument for dental treatment, which is designed to prop the jaws open and insure effective drying of the teeth and gums.

With some patients it is not necessary to prop the jaws open but in a great many instances it isV highly desirable, especially in the treatment of children to maintain the teeth apart for various reasons obvious to those skilled in dental treatment.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, reference ismade to the accompanying drawing which illustrates the instrument in what is now considered the preferred form.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the instrument showing the jaw prop for the left side in position;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the instrument with the jaw prop for the right side in position;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged View showing the instrument partly in section.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the numeral 5 designates a tube through which saliva may be carried off when a suction hose is connected at 6. The upper part of the tube 5 is bent into a U shape 7 and connects with the saliva intake openings 8 and 9 one either side of the tongue guard 10 which extends across the U-bend 7 and is integral therewith. Both the U-bend '7 and the tongue guard 10 are curved horizontally to conform with the shape of the lower teeth.

The jaw prop 11 is trough-shaped to fit the upper teeth and has a curved arm 12 with a prong 13 extending from one side which is used to force the cheek away from the lower teeth. The conventional tubular roll of cotton may be stuck on the prong 13 and is used to absorb the moisture on the outside of the teeth in the lower jaw. The jaw prop 11 is supported by the rod 14 which fits into the free end of the U-bend '7 and may be adjusted at the desired height by means of the set screw 15.

The chin rest 16 is supported on the tube 5 by means of a clamp 17 which may be adjusted to the necessary position and secured by tightening the wing unit 18.

In utilizing this device it is necessary to employ left and right jaw props as shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. In practice, with a roll of cotton on the prong 12 the U-bend 7 is inserted y between the tongue and the inside of the lower teeth, and the tube 5 connected at 6 with usual rubber suction hose. The jaw prop may then be raised or lowered to t the patients mouth and secured by the screw l5 which is conveniently positioned at the front of the instrument. The chin rest 16 is then moved up to fit against the chin, and secured at that point on the tube, so as to rmly maintain the instrument in position. Thus the jaws are propped open and the prong 13 with the tubular roll of cotton on the end absorbs the saliva outside the lower teeth while the arm 12 maintains the cheek away from the teeth. On the inside of the lower mouth the saliva is ejected through the suction tube 5 and the tongue is prevented from moistening the teeth under treatment by means of the guard 10.

It should also be understood that this appliance may be used for the upper teeth as well as the lower teeth by placing the prop on the opposite side of the upper teeth to be treated. For

example, if the upper right teeth are to be treated Y the device is placed on the left side, giving free access thereto and an absorbent roll pressed in the buccal groove of the upper right will produce the desired dryness in the area to be treated.

Having thus described the present invention and shown the preferred embodiment thereof, what is claimed is: Y

l. A dental instrument comprising a suction tube having a perforated U-bend-at its upper end, a jaw prop having an arm to protract the cheek and a rod extending therefrom, said rod being removably'iitted into the free arm of the U-bend.

2. A dental instrument comprising a suction tube having a perforated U-bend at its upper end, a jaw prop having an arm to protract the cheek Vand a rod extending therefrom, said arm having a prong adapted to receive an absorbent tubular roll, said rod being removably fitted into the free arm of the U-bend, and means for adjustably securing the jaw prop at the desired height.

3. A dental instrument comprising a suction tube having a perforated U-bend at its upper end, a tongue guard integral with and extending across the U-bend, a jaw prop having an arm. and a rod extending therefrom and integral therewith, said arm having a prong adapted to receive an absorbent tubular roll, said rod being removably fitted into the free arm of the U-bend, and means for adjustably securing the jaw prop at the desired height.

4. A dental instrument comprising a suction lill tube having a perforated U-bend at ts'upper end, a tongue guard integral with and extending across the U-bend, a jaw prop having a curved arm to protract the cheek and a rod extending therefrom and integral therewith, vsaid arm having a prong adapted to receive an absorbent tubular roll, said rod being removably fitted into the free arm of the U-bend, means for adjustably securing the jaw prop at the desired height, and a chin rest adjustable on said suction tube to maintain the instrument in position.

5. A dental instrument comprising a suction 

